Developing networks between workers and community for health promotion of workers in small businesses

The purpose of this study is to assess preventive factors to workers' health care in small businesses, and to develop the network between workers and the community health resources. The life expectancy of 65 years of the Fuji City citizen, and their SMR of cancer, stroke and cardiovascular disease were worst in the Shizuoka prefecture. The ratio of workers in small business with workers under 50 employees was 97.5% in this city. To assess the preventive factor for the worker's health promotion, we obtained information both of the health care system and the health consciousness of the employee of small business, through a questionnaire by mail. 22.7% in business did not execute the periodic health check. The awareness of illness was in 18.4% of them. 48.4% of them became aware of the anxiety of mental health, and 82.2% of them were conscious of the uncertainty of the future health. 41.5% of them did not receive the detailed medical examination and treatment. We hope employers in small businesses would set up the opportunity of periodic health checks of employees, for getting rid of the anxiety of mental health and the uncertainty for the future health, and develop the network between the workers and the community.